Special to NJJN

December 18, 2008

In early November, the Livingston Friendship Circle Walk was held at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange. Barbara Gottfried Hollander of West Orange, the parent of a Friendship Circle participant, reports on the event:

Surrounded by changing leaves and a briskness in the air, 750 people walked to raise money for the Friendship Circle.

“The best part of the event,” said walk organizer Toba Grossbaum, “is that it brings everyone together — families and volunteers — and evokes great feelings of unity and pride. People know they’re making a difference.”

“It was a pleasure to have such a wonderful organization, which helps so many people, choose the zoo as the location to have this tremendous event,” said zoo director Dr. Jeremy Goodman. “As a parent of a child who participates in Friendship Circle activities, I couldn’t be happier.”

The Friendship Circle is devoted to helping families with special-needs children in over 60 communities throughout the country. Through the Livingston branch, over 800 teenage volunteers help 250 special-needs children through weekly visits, holiday programs, Soccer Sundays, and camps.

The walk gave volunteers and their special friends another opportunity to have fun. “It was great to spend time with my Friendship Circle buddy,” said Alex Israeli, a 10th-grader at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, “and to raise money and awareness for this great organization.” Also participating were Alex’s brothers, Eric and Andrew, who are also FC volunteers.

Walk teams were named in honor or memory of participants or for local schools, synagogues, and sponsors. “Allie’s Team” walked in memory of eight-year-old Allison Rosenfield. “I walked on the Friendship Circle walk because I know that Allie would have wanted my family and friends to support it,” said her mother, Nancy.

Local musician Greg Wall and his band performed klezmer music, and children decorated banners and got “tattoos.” A food court and a BMX bike show were also featured.

“It was amazing to watch everyone work so hard to make this the best walkathon ever,” said Amy Durschlag, whose daughter Rachel, a seventh-grader at Liberty Middle School in West Orange, sold popcorn.

For more information on the Friendship Circle, visit www.fcnj.com.

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